As of March 2026, the sale of non-personalized PASMO and Suica cards remains suspended for general tourists in Japan due to the ongoing global semiconductor shortage affecting IC chip production. However, the suspension is not total. Travelers can still purchase the PASMO PASSPORT or the Welcome Suica, which are short-term (28-day) cards specifically designed for visitors and do not require a deposit. Furthermore, "Personalized" cards (those registered with a name and phone number) have seen a limited resumption of sales at major JR East and subway stations, though supply is still volatile. The 2026 "Smart Travel" recommendation is to avoid the physical card altogether by adding a digital Suica or PASMO to your Apple Wallet or Google Pay. This bypasses the chip shortage entirely, allows for instant topping up via your phone's credit card, and works seamlessly at almost all turnstiles, vending machines, and convenience stores across the country.